December 21, 2017

This is the perfect time of the year to sit back and take in the first half of the year. The school halls ​will be quiet soon ​and my thoughts go to the virtue of gratitude. 

This virtue is sometimes overlooked but so important. First of all, gratitude is healthy for us. A study by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, demonstrates that cultivating gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25 percent. This correlates to studies that have shown that children who practice grateful thinking have more positive attitudes toward school and family. 

Gratitude also lends to perspective-especially in children. When you take into account the sheer amount of opportunities, privileges and material possessions that most kids enjoy, through no effort of their own, it's easy to see why many of them feel entitled. By practicing gratitude, they come to realize that all those toys and creature comforts don't just pop up from nowhere. It helps them to realize that we are all interdependent on one another. 

As parents, what can you do to reinforce gratitude in your children? Here are some suggestions:
  • Mention the things that you, as a parent, are grateful for. Modeling is the best for of teaching.
  • Resist the urge to shower them with too many "things". They might not value or appreciate their things with an overabundance.
  • Have you child set a goal for what they want and work toward that goal. 
  • Keep thank-you notes on hand. Have them hand-write the notes themselves​. No emails here.
  • Encourage them to give back. Perhaps a family service activity--helping a neighbor, doing service in the church

So, I want to thank you, the pa​rents​, for your generous support of our school. We do not take for granted, the sacrifices you make to keep the word of God flowing into our children every school day. Please continue to help us fill our classrooms by encouraging your friends and others to visit and take a tour. 

Blessings to your families as we enter a new year.

Pat Wadzinski
The St. Alphonsus School office staff would like to wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!
See you after break!
~ Deanna, Taimi, and Gaby
Parents: There is no backpack mail this week.
Don’t Miss this Opportunity!
Our school has been selected to receive a free cognitive skills assessment for each student aged 6 and up as part of a national grant. This test will assess a child’s seven core cognitive skills; including an attention cluster score, memory cluster, and auditory processing. The test is valued at $100 but as part of a grant from the Gibson Institute of Cognitive Research, we can receive the test results at no cost. We encourage you to take advantage of this free cognitive skills assessment to learn more about your child’s learning skills.

We have scheduled a parent night on January 11th with Kevin Pasqua of LearningRx to review the test, the testing process, and explain the areas being assessed. The assessment will take place in school on Jan. 24th for any students whose parents have completed necessary paperwork and permission. Mr. Pasqua will also host an additional session after testing in order to explain the results of the test and practical steps that you can take as parents to address any areas of concern. Mr. Pasqua is a certified cognitive skills trainer, administers cognitive skills assessments, and holds a CBIS (Certified Brain Injury Specialist) certificate.
 
You can learn more about this amazing opportunity on Jan. 11 at 6:30 in the Community Room. Any questions can be addressed to Marita Thiele thiele@st-alphonsus.org.
CHILDREN'S ENVELOPES
Boxes of children's offertory envelopes were sent home with your K-5 student this week. Please check your child's backpack. Here is the letter on behalf of Father Aaron that was included with the envelopes:

Dear Friends,

Please consider using the children’s envelopes to help form your child in the ways of Christian stewardship. Stewardship is a way of life and it is never too early to start.

Stewardship means that we 1) Receive God’s gifts to us GRATEFULLY; 2) Use those gifts WISELY; 3) Share the gifts GENEROUSLY; and, 4) Return them with INCREASE to the Lord. 

Thank you for your generous support of St. Alphonsus Parish over the past year. I’m grateful for the ways you and your family have helped to make our community stronger. Know of my prayers for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fr Aaron
IMPORTANT LUNCH INFORMATION JANUARY 2ND!

Due to a freezer repair, students will need to bring a COLD LUNCH AND DRINK from home on JANUARY 2ND . THERE WILL NOT BE HOT LUNCH, A LA CARTE, OR MILK OFFERED THAT DAY.

Thank you for your patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience.
Carriers of the Light
These three 8th grade students, Julia, Juliana, and Rachel had the brilliant idea of creating our First Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Last Monday students, staff, and faculty were invited to wear a Christmas T-shirt or sweater and donate at least $1.00 to the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry. The idea took off and the school raised $622.00 for the purchase of hams and turkeys for our local food pantry clients. I received an email of gratitude that, in part, stated,"They were so thrilled, and several noted that now they would really be able to celebrate with a nice meal for their families. Several were brought to tears. I hope the students understand just how meaningful their act of generosity (and fun at the same time) was for these people." 

I am so proud of these eighth grade girls and the entire school for being  Carriers of the Light!

Thank you to our students, faculty and staff who donated to the "Ugly Sweater Day" to benefit the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry . This is only a PORTION of what they were able to purchase with the money that was collected from our fundraising efforts.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

12/24/17 Fourth Sunday of Advent

12/25/17-12/29/17 - NO SCHOOL - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

01/02/18 School Resumes
NOTE: Students need to bring a cold lunch and drink from home!
SEE SEPARATE NEWSLETTER NOTICE ABOVE!

01/03/18 Mass 8:00 AM 

01/03/18 McDonald's Night at 76th and Rawson

01/03/18 Unity T-shirt Day

01/05/18 8th Grade Pictures (first thing in the morning - dress attire!)

01/05/18 Activity pictures for rest of the school

01/10/18 Mass 8:00 AM 

01/10/18 Unity T-shirt Day

01/15/18 NOON Dismissal

01/17/18 Cousin's Night at 7700 S. Lovers Lane4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

01/17/18 Mass 8:00 AM 

01/17/18 Unity T-shirt Day

01/22/18 Scholastic Book Fair

01/24/18 Mass 8:00 AM 

01/24/18 Unity T-Shirt Day

01/26/18 Non-Uniform Day

01/28/18 Open House for New and Current Families 10AM - 1PM

DINE OUT WITH ST. ALPHONSUS

The next Dine Out With St. Al's will be January 3rd at the McDonald's at 76th and Rawson. Students may be out of uniform the following day, January 4th if they bring in their receipt showing they went to the McDonald's Dine Out.

Thanks for supporting our school!
 SAFETY PATROL 
Cadets should report at 7:15 a.m. each scheduled day. They will have the privileged responsibility of assisting our parents and students during morning drop off. They are supervised by a staff member.  



Mr. Strangfeld

Jan. 2nd –5th
Olivia L.
Jason M.
Coleman N.
Jack P.
Grace O.
Christopher P

ST. ALPHONSUS HAPPENINGS
TOASTMASTERS - YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Youth Leadership is an 10 week workshop sponsored by Toastmasters International, a
non-profit educational organization founded in 1924. Please visit www.toastmaster.org to learn more.

The registration form was sent home last week via backpack mail with all 4th-6th graders. If you did not get a form, please click HERE for it. If you have additional questions, please contact Wendy Benkowski at 414-899-7342 or email wbenkowski@gmail.com
MAD SCIENCE
Mad Science registration is available online for the next session beginning in January. The upcoming dates are January 8, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, **19**. Early bird discount if registered by 1/1/2018. See flyer HERE for more information.
**NOTE: change in dates from the flyer due to the January 15th early release day. February 19th is the makeup date for January 15th.**

As a reminder, registration is all done online.
Please do not send money or registration to the school.
HOME AND SCHOOL CORNER
All Scholastic Book Fair Gift Certificates that were purchased were sent home via backpack mail. 

If you did not receive your purchased gift certificate, please contact Lindsay Rugg via email -  lindsay.rugg@gmail.com . 

Thank you for supporting Home and School's upcoming Scholastic Book Fair scheduled for the week of January 22 - 28, 2017!
UPCOMING HOME & SCHOOL MEETINGS
  • Jan 9th  (note 2nd week of Jan)
  • (tentative) Topics: Scholastic book fair, Catholic Schools week, Fun Fair, Recap of Cookie walk
  • Feb 6th
  • (tentative) Topics: Fish Fry, Recap of Jan events
  • Mar 6th 
  • (tentative) Topics: Fish Fry
  • May 1st
  • (tentative) Topics: Teacher appreciation week 

Merry Christmas! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming Home & School meetings.
SCRIP
Scrip Tips

Last Minute Gifts from Scrip
Do you hate the thought of fighting crowds in the malls and parking lots? Why not take care of your last-minute shopping needs right here at St. Alphonsus! Purchase Scrip to finish up your list and earn a 2% tuition credit while making your holiday purchases. Gift cards for almost 80 merchants; including retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations are available.
 
The “Scrip Year” is Ending
Just a reminder that Scrip purchases made through Sunday, December 31, 2017, will count toward the current credit totals (This year, Scrip WILL be available in the Community Room during the holiday weekends of Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 30-31). Beginning January 4th, a new tally will start; and all 2017 totals will be tabulated for tuition/fee vouchers to be issued in late January. Stock up to increase your family’s credit. Any questions, call Lori Korek at 421-5912
Scrip wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy & happy New Year!
 
When and where is Scrip available in the next two weeks?
Sat. Dec. 23 rd         4:00 - 4:30pm in the Community Room
Sun. Dec. 24 th        8:30 - 11:00am in the Community Room
Sat. Dec. 30 th         4:00 - 4:30pm in the Community Room
Sun. Dec. 31 st             8:30 - 11:00am in the Community Room
Thurs. Jan. 4 th         Backpack mail (Please send orders in by Wednesday)
Fri. Jan. 5 th             7:30-8:30 am in the School Lobby

 
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IN OUR COMMUNITY
Greenfield Little League
Greenfield Little League online registration is open January 1, 2018. Register between January 1-31 for a discount. To register, visit www.greenfieldll.com
VOLLEYBALL??

The Greenfield YMCA is looking for more 4 th  – 8 th  grade girls to enter their Developmental Volleyball League in January.
 
The league is designed for players that are NOT playing at the club-level, for whatever reason (skill, money, time commitment, etc). The league is an opportunity for players to continue playing to work on their skills and improve for the following season. Their league also tries to work around the existing basketball season, so players can do both sports. Overall, they're looking for players that have a passion for the game and want to get better.

Questions? Contact Scott Muehlemann at 414-329-3853 or email him at smuehlemann@gwcymca.org You may also click the following flyer for more information: